John Mellencamp may be known for changing his name an astonishing three times, but he is respected for two other qualities: his status as the Bruce Springsteen of the Midwest, and his refusal to compromise his sound to fit the latest trends.

John Mellencamp’s top billing owes more to his work with writer Stephen King on the narrative that would become a play called Ghost Brothers of Darkland County. He sings just once here, giving the album over to a host of guest stars